Cortland men tried to cash altered checks at the same bank, deputies say

Authorities say there are a few factors that help enable people to commit fraud/embezzlement, but safeguards including checks and balances can prevent it.

Anthony Borrelli / Staff video

Two Cortland men are accused of trying cash altered checks at the same bank on two occasions.

Curtis I. Lunsford, 26, and Bayshawn Barlow, 28, were arrested Tuesday by the Cortland County Sheriff's Office after an investigation into an alleged fraud in progress at Chemung Canal Trust in Cortlandville.

Bayshawn Barlow

Bayshawn Barlow

Provided

Bank tellers told sheriff's deputies that Lunsford and Barlow tried to cash a check, but it appeared to have been altered. The suspects were detained before they left the bank's drive-through.

Curtis I. Lunsford

Curtis I. Lunsford

Provided

Deputies said the suspects were believed to have tried to cash altered checks at the same bank on two separate occasions.

Lunsford and Barlow were charged with felony counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, along with misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree conspiracy and petit larceny. They were jailed with bail set at $500 cash or $1,000 bond, to await further action in Cortlandville Town Court.